7. Circle of Giulio Romano
(Italian, 16th Century)
Roman Battle Scene with Horses

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Circle of Romano, Roman Battle

Roman Battle Scene with Horses

Original drawing in pen and brown ink on old laid paper, squared in black chalk and incised with a stylus for transfer, 220 x 507 mm., ex collection: Giuseppe Vallardi (Lugt 1223). Obviously, a working drawing (although the hands are ready for them the actual weapons have not yet been drawn in) and for an unknown project. Quite in addition to the questions of authorship and purpose, the drawing poses other problems. For example, against whom are the Romans fighting here? The nude figure on horseback at the left, appears to derive from a figure on Trajan’s Column, which would indicate a battle against the Dacians. But the full composition does not seem to appear on Trajan’s Column. Furthermore the figure in the Phrygian cap at the right appears in a totally different context in the drawing by Giulio Romano of The Flight of Meriones (British Museum). The drawing has either been vertically cut and repaired at the left or enlarged with another partial sheet. There are stains, repairs and the remains of old backing paper verso, but the sheet is complete.